Welcome to Carbon13’s podcast “Climate Takes” where we ask founders, investors and builders for their “takes” on their industry and climate challenge, as well as setting a call to action, asking what will it take to solve the climate emergency?
In this episode, we’re getting the investor’s view of deeptech, how they evaluate deeptech startups, conduct due diligence, and view the endgame for exits. Our special guest is Dr Charlotte Kirk, Investment Principal at Clean Energy Ventures and we’re delighted to have her share her view on the sector because of her wealth of experience and scientific rigor.
She’s got the scientific chops in her Oxford doctorate in Chemistry, the operator battle scars from mining giant Fortescue where she worked on setting up their CVC and on an ammonia-powered ship project, and the grit from ultramarathons, Ironman, and even the British Armed Forces.
Here’s her take:
About the episode
Deeptech broadly refers to cutting edge solutions in engineering or science. Almost all the megatrends in 2025 involve deeptech: AI, robotics, industrialisation, energy security, dual use and biotech, and all of them have vital climate applications and are in demand by climate investors.
In Carbon13’s own portfolio, deeptech includes MatNex, building the world’s largest supercomputer for materials science, or Nium, using nanotechnology to replace the Haber-Bosch process, or Samudra using robotics and AI to scale seaweed farming – you can watch our episodes with their founders right here.
And that’s a big change from the SaaS and app years – so it’s vital that the investors working on early stage deeptech actually have the knowledge to make the right bets – and that’s why we’re talking to Dr Charlotte Kirk: PhD chemist turned industrialist innovator turned climate VC, with ultra endurance sports and armed forces experience to boot.
Charlotte takes us through her journey, and what she prizes in deeptech startups – and it’s far more than just the technology.
Also on Climate Takes
We ask special guests for their “takes” on their industry and climate challenge, as well as setting a call to action, asking what will it take to solve the climate emergency?